Retaining strap

Abstract

The retaining strap comprises a thin, elongate piece of expandable and non marring material having a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal slots therein to which objects, via retainers, can be engaged. The retaining strap also has terminal connectors thereon for securing the strap to itself and/or other objects to be engaged thereby.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A retaining strap comprising an elongate body made of longitudinally expandable material and having a plurality of spaced apart slots disposed longitudinally along the body, an elongate end slot being provided in the strap toward each end thereof, and a plurality of spaced apart keyhole slots each having a larger opening portion and a stepped down portion are provided in the strap between the elongate end slots, the strap further including a connector at each end thereof extending longitudinally therefrom which engages within a slot to engage the strap to itself or to engage an object to be retained by the strap. 
     
     
       2. The strap of  claim 1  wherein each stepped down portion includes a peripheral raised lip therearound. 
     
     
       3. The strap of  claim 2  wherein each stepped down portion is longitudinally outwardly positioned relative to the larger opening portion. 
     
     
       4. The strap of  claim 3  wherein each connector of the strap has a conical configuration having a base. 
     
     
       5. The strap of  claim 4  wherein the base of each connector is engaged to an end of the strap by a shaft. 
     
     
       6. The strap of  claim 5  wherein the base of each connector has a circular groove therein surrounding the shaft. 
     
     
       7. The strap of  claim 6  wherein the base of each connector is sized to pass through the larger opening portion of the keyhole slots. 
     
     
       8. The strap of  claim 7  wherein the shaft of each connector is receivable within the stepped down portion of each keyhole slot but the connector cannot pass therethrough. 
     
     
       9. The strap of  claim 8  wherein the groove in base of the connector is sized to seat upon and engage the peripheral lip of the stepped down portion of the keyhole slot. 
     
     
       10. The strap of  claim 1  being made of a non marring material. 
     
     
       11. The strap of  claim 1  being flexible.